I Can Do More: Vaivai

Team Fiji Weightlifters Apoloni Vavai (right) and Maria Liku raising the Fiji Flag and showcasing their medals from the Pacific Mini Games at the Epauto Hall, Port Vila, Vanuatu on December 6, 2017. Photo: Peni Komaisavai

Apolonia Vaivai won three gold medals in the 75kg category during the 2017 Pacific Mini Games yesterday,

And the Taveuni native viewed her gold medal wins as a morale booster as she prepares for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next year.

“The win has boosted my confidence heading in to the Commonwealth Games and I know that I can do more,” Vavai said.

She equaled the Pacific Mini Games record in the Snatch, she cleared 95kg, then lifted 120kg for the Clean and Jerk.

Both lifts secured her a gold medal, and it totaled up to 215kg, thus earning her three gold medals.

She is the second lifter to have achieved that feat, following fellow teammate Manueli Tulo on Tuesday.

Vavai said her motivating factor when on stage was making sure in telling herself that whatever would be laid before her had to be done.

“Right now I feel so good and excited to achieve what I had come to achieve, that is winning gold for Fiji.

“Now I have done it and I am satisfied.

She was presented her medals by Pacific Games Council chief executive officer Andrew Minogue during the medal ceremony at the Epauto Hall, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Meanwhile, Maria Liku won three bronze medals in the 70kg Snatch, 88kg Clean and Jerk with a total lift of 158kg.

Bronze Medals For Tuwai

Weightlifter Tevita Tawai bagged two more bronze medals for Team Fiji.

Tawai came from 6th place to claim a bronze medal in the men’s 77Kg weight category yesterday. He was 6th in the Snatch competition and came from nowhere to lift 165Kg in the Clean & Jerk to finish with a total of 275Kg.

This is also his personal best.

Patrick Veidreyaki put on a gutsy fight and finished fourth overall.

Philip Toua of Papua New Guinea won gold in the same category with a total of 299kg overall.